ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders are still in the playoff hunt as they head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Seattle is two games ahead of the home team in the loss column for the wildcard chase. As the team readies for the showdown, the NFL just gave big props to punter Tress Way.
Way is the longest-tenured Commander. He's been wearing burgundy and gold for a decade, and he's still getting it done when it counts. In last week's win against the Patriots, field position was crucial. Way managed to pin the opposition back with punts fielded inside the 20 yard line, where games can be won and lost, four times. He averaged 47.8 yards per punt and had a long of 64.
That's why the league named him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Way said even after so long with the team, he was still surprised by the honor.
"It's still surreal to me. The longer I've played, the more thankful I've gotten," Way said. The 33-year-old punter first entered the league as a undrafted free agent with the Bears in 2013.
"I still remember my journey of making it to the NFL, I still remember my journey of making it here," he said.
He said he is also thankful for the fans and how they view the punt team.
"Nobody wants to see us on the field, and I get that. We don't want to go on the field, but we have to. We go out there and we hope that we can make a play and it is just so fun," he said.
This is the fifth time Way has won a Player of the Week award. Each time, players receive a special painted ball. Way says each time it has happened, his sons have gone on to play with it on cement. He's not too happy about that.